Elliott's Lovegrass | Eragrostis elliottii

🌾 A Florida Native That Turns Sunshine Into Living Clouds

Some plants demand attention with giant flowers and flashy colors. Elliott's Lovegrass takes a different approach.

This remarkable Florida native creates soft, floating clouds of delicate seedheads that shimmer in the sunlight and dance with every breeze. During late summer and fall, established clumps seem to glow across the landscape, adding movement, texture, wildlife habitat, and year-round beauty with almost no maintenance.

Native throughout Florida and much of the southeastern United States, Elliott's Lovegrass is one of the most adaptable native grasses available. It thrives in sandy soils, tolerates drought, handles seasonal wet conditions, supports pollinators and birds, and brings a natural elegance to both formal and wild landscapes.

Whether you're building a pollinator garden, restoring habitat, stabilizing a slope, or creating a modern native planting, Elliott's Lovegrass delivers beauty and ecological value in equal measure.

🌿 Florida Native Species

🦋 Host Plant for Native Butterflies

🐦 Valuable Food Source for Birds

🌞 Loves Full Sun

💧 Drought-Tolerant Once Established

🌾 Excellent for Meadows, Borders & Erosion Control

🏡 Beautiful in Native & Contemporary Landscapes

⚡ Quick Facts

📦 Plant Size & What You'll Receive

This Listing Is For A 4" Starter Plant

Your Elliott's Lovegrass will arrive in a 4-inch nursery container.

These are healthy, actively growing starter plants that are well-rooted but still early in their development.

Most plants are approximately:

• 3–8 months old

• Well established in their nursery container

• Ready to continue growing after acclimation

Important Expectations

Photos throughout this listing may show mature specimens growing in landscapes, restoration projects, or established native gardens.

The plant you receive is a young starter plant with tremendous future potential, but it will require time to mature into the large flowering clumps shown in reference photos.

Fortunately, Elliott's Lovegrass is a relatively fast-growing native species that can make significant progress during its first full growing season after planting.

Customers in Florida often see dramatic growth during warm weather once plants become established.

🌎 Native Range & Origin Story

Elliott's Lovegrass naturally occurs throughout Florida and portions of the southeastern United States.

You'll find it growing in:

• Pine Flatwoods

• Dry Prairies

• Scrub Habitats

• Pond Margins

• Wetland Edges

• Coastal Ecosystems

• Disturbed Areas

The genus name Eragrostis comes from Greek roots meaning "love" and "grass," giving rise to the common name "Lovegrass."

The species name elliottii honors Stephen Elliott, an early American botanist who helped document many southeastern native plant species.

Today, Elliott's Lovegrass remains one of Florida's most valuable native grasses for both wildlife conservation and ornamental landscaping.

🌾 Why Grow Elliott's Lovegrass?

Top Benefits

✅ Florida Native

✅ Host Plant for the Zabulon Skipper Butterfly

✅ Excellent Wildlife Habitat

✅ Highly Drought Tolerant

✅ Thrives in Poor Soils

✅ Excellent Erosion Control

✅ Attractive Year-Round

✅ Beautiful Fall Seedheads

✅ Works in Formal & Naturalistic Designs

✅ Low Maintenance

Unlike many ornamental grasses imported from overseas, Elliott's Lovegrass evolved right here in Florida's climate and ecosystems.

That means fewer inputs, fewer problems, and greater ecological benefits.

🦋 Wildlife Benefits

Elliott's Lovegrass provides tremendous value to local ecosystems.

Its dense foliage creates shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife.

The abundant seed crop feeds:

🐦 Finches

🐦 Sparrows

🐦 Towhees

🐦 Native Songbirds

The plant is also an important larval host for the Zabulon Skipper butterfly.

For gardeners interested in supporting biodiversity, Elliott's Lovegrass is a valuable addition to any pollinator or wildlife garden.

🌞 Growing Requirements

Sunlight

Best Growth:

☀️ Full Sun

Acceptable:

🌤 Light Partial Shade

Too much shade may reduce flowering and create weaker growth.

Soil Preferences

Thrives In:

• Sandy Soils

• Well-Drained Soils

• Nutrient-Poor Soils

• Coastal Soils

Tolerates:

• Drought

• Seasonal Wetness

• Wind Exposure

• Brief Inundation

Once established, Elliott's Lovegrass is remarkably resilient.

📏 Mature Size & Spacing

Mature Height:

1–2 Feet

Flowering Height:

Up To 3 Feet

Mature Spread:

2–4 Feet

Recommended Spacing:

• 18–24 Inches For Mass Plantings

• 24–36 Inches For Specimen Clumps

• 12–18 Inches For Erosion Control Projects

When planted in drifts, Elliott's Lovegrass creates a spectacular meadow-like effect.

🌦 Seasonal Guide For Florida & The Southeast

Spring

🌱 Fresh foliage emerges.

Root systems expand rapidly.

Ideal transplanting season.

Summer

☀️ Peak growth period.

Plants establish quickly and build dense foliage.

Fall

🌾 Flowering season begins.

Large airy seedheads create the plant's signature cloud-like appearance.

Bird activity often increases as seeds mature.

Winter

🌿 Semi-evergreen throughout much of Florida.

Seedheads continue providing texture and wildlife value.

Many gardeners leave flower stalks standing until late winter.

Growing Elliott's Lovegrass In Containers

Yes, Elliott's Lovegrass performs well in containers.

Start with the original 4" container until roots become established after shipping.

We recommend waiting a minimum of 30 days and looking for active new growth before moving into a larger container.

Container progression typically follows:

4" Pot → 1 Gallon → 3 Gallon → 7 Gallon

Use a well-draining soil mix that contains:

• Pine Bark

• Coarse Sand

• Coconut Coir

• Compost

Avoid heavy, poorly draining soils.

Remember that container plants dry faster than in-ground plantings and may require more frequent watering.

🌱 Planting Instructions

Choose a location with full sun and good drainage.

Dig a hole only slightly wider than the nursery container and no deeper than the existing root ball.

Plant Elliott's Lovegrass high and tight, keeping the crown slightly elevated above surrounding soil.

Backfill firmly using native soil or compost-amended native soil.

Top dress with:

• Compost

• Biochar

• Azomite

• Organic Fertilizers

Apply hardwood mulch around the planting area while keeping mulch away from the crown.

💧 Watering Guide

Container Plants

Newly arrived 4" starter plants should be checked daily.

Water thoroughly whenever the upper layer of soil begins to dry.

During Florida summers, container plants may require daily watering.

In-Ground Plants

First 30–60 Days:

• Water regularly

• Do not allow soil to completely dry out

Established Plants:

• Water deeply during prolonged drought

• Drip irrigation is preferred

• Avoid constantly wet soil

Once established, Elliott's Lovegrass becomes highly drought tolerant.

Fertilization & Maintenance

This plant requires very little fertilization.

Annual applications of compost are typically sufficient.

Avoid excessive nitrogen.

Too much fertility may encourage floppy growth and reduce flowering performance.

Late Winter Maintenance:

✂️ Remove old seed stalks

✂️ Lightly groom foliage if desired

Avoid severe cutting or shearing.

The natural growth habit is part of the plant's beauty.

🌿 Companion Plants

Pair Elliott's Lovegrass with:

🌼 Coreopsis

🌼 Goldenrod

🌼 Blazing Star

🌼 Blanketflower

🌾 Muhly Grass

🌾 Fakahatchee Grass

🌻 Mexican Sunflower

Together these plants create resilient, pollinator-rich ecosystems that perform exceptionally well in Florida landscapes.

🔍 Troubleshooting Guide

Yellowing Foliage

Possible Causes:

• Overwatering

• Poor Drainage

✅ Improve drainage and reduce irrigation frequency.

Weak Growth

Possible Causes:

• Too Much Shade

✅ Increase sun exposure.

Poor Flowering

Possible Causes:

• Excess Fertility

• Insufficient Sunlight

✅ Reduce fertilizer and increase sunlight.

Crown Rot

Possible Causes:

• Standing Water

• Mulch Against Crown

✅ Improve drainage and keep mulch away from the base.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elliott's Lovegrass native to Florida?

Yes. It occurs naturally throughout much of Florida.

Is it drought tolerant?

Extremely. Once established it requires very little supplemental irrigation.

Can I grow it in a container?

Absolutely.

Is the 4" plant large?

No. This listing is for a starter plant. The mature specimens shown in landscape photos represent future growth potential.

Which states are best for shipping?

Florida, the Southeastern United States, and Texas generally provide the best results for small starter plants.

🤔 Is This Plant For Me?

Ideal For:

✅ Native Plant Enthusiasts

✅ Pollinator Gardens

✅ Wildlife Habitat Projects

✅ Low-Maintenance Landscapes

✅ Coastal Gardens

✅ Erosion Control Projects

Not Ideal For:

❌ Deep Shade Gardens

❌ Constantly Wet Sites

❌ Gardeners Seeking Large Colorful Flowers

❌ Instant Landscape Impact From A Small Starter Plant

📦 Shipping Details For Continental US

Please Read Before Ordering

This listing is for a 4" starter plant.

These smaller plants ship best to:

✅ Florida

✅ Southeastern United States

✅ Texas

These regions typically experience shorter transit times and provide growing conditions similar to those in which the plants were produced.

Customers In Northern & Western States

We are happy to ship nationwide; however:

⚠️ Small starter plants may experience greater shipping stress during extended transit.

⚠️ Recovery periods may be longer after arrival.

⚠️ California shipments may occasionally be delayed due to agricultural inspections.

⚠️ Buyers assume risk associated with prolonged UPS Ground transit.

We strongly recommend purchasing larger plant sizes whenever available if shipping to northern or western states.

Upon Arrival

• Unpack immediately

• Water thoroughly

• Keep plant in original container

• Place in bright indirect light for several days

• Wait at least 30 days or until new growth appears before transplanting

Some temporary leaf discoloration, minor stress, or slowed growth may occur after shipping and is generally recoverable.

Shipping Schedule & Weather Disclaimer

GreenDreams ships every Monday from Florida using UPS Ground.

We are not responsible for:

• Carrier delays

• Inspection delays

• Extreme heat

• Freezing temperatures

• Weather-related transit issues

Buyer discretion is strongly advised during periods of extreme weather.

🏡 Local Pickup Available

We frequently stock larger Elliott's Lovegrass specimens and many additional native grasses at our retail nursery.

GreenDreams Nursery & Farm

🌾 18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610

🕘 Tuesday–Friday 9AM–5PM

🌞 Saturday 8AM–3PM

🌿 Visit our regenerative nursery and explore thousands of edible, native, medicinal, and ecological plants.

🌿 Beyond The Plant: GreenDreams Services

At GreenDreams, we do more than grow plants.

🌳 Edible landscape design

🚜 Installation & project management

🚚 Bulk compost, mulch & biochar delivery

🌾 Wholesale growing solutions

🌿 Regenerative ecosystem development

Let our team help you create a thriving native landscape featuring Elliott's Lovegrass and hundreds of other Florida-friendly species.